You never know what will happen in the future. No matter how cautious you are, you can never predict what someone else will do at a given moment. The best you can do is prepare for unforeseen occurrences. Having the right information at hand is an invaluable asset. An excellent example of an unforeseen occurrence is a car accident. How do you handle things in the aftermath of such an event? Below we list five things you should do following a car accident.
1. Try to stay calm.
Following a car accident, the first thing to expect is a lot of shouting. Things will be even worse if the accident results in an injury or death. Therefore, it’s important to remain calm in such a situation so you can think straight and act rationally. You’ll first need to call the police and, if you’re not injured, come out of your car and assess the damage. Whatever the situation, make sure you never openly concede responsibility. Deciding responsibility for the collision is the duty of both your insurance company and the police.
2. Get details about your insurance policy.
In many countries, car drivers must have a valid insurance policy. This is usually third party insurance, but might also be a comprehensive one. If you have a policy, it helps to know how to make a car insurance claim, and also how to make a health insurance claim.
The first step, once you’ve called the police, is to contact your insurance company immediately. Also, try to ascertain if the other party also has valid insurance. If that’s positive, ask for their I.D. card to ensure you collect the correct contact details. Be sure to record their name, car plate number, address, name of their insurance company, and the insurance policy number.
3. Let the cops dictate the next steps.
Usually, the police will make a quick assessment of the accident scene. They will also listen to witnesses and file a quick report. If both parties are being reasonable, the police might leave and advise you both to attend to pressing issues. They might also give you set date and time to return to the police station.
If your vehicle is badly damaged, it might need an engine overhaul, a front or back windshield installation or intense bodywork. If your rear windshield or front windshield has a crack, or worse, that’s very dangerous. In such circumstances, your cars will be towed to the police yard. The insurance company will then do their investigations and act on your claims.
4. Seek medical help.
Even if you don’t have a visible injury, it’s advisable to seek help from a good health care provider. Many medical care providers accept Medicare or Medicaid insurance from various insurance companies. If you already have insurance, let the authorities know that your health insurance company will handle the medical bill from the onset.
That way, your receipts, and other paperwork will be aptly filed to facilitate the claim process. It also helps to know the details of your insurance company. Some of them don’t offer full insurance coverage of bills and others may ask you to pay first and be refunded later.
5. File your claims promptly.
If you have serious injuries, swiftly call your insurance company. They’ll likely send out a representative who will pick up the requisite details. This person will also fill the claim form and begin the claim process. If you have little or no injuries, it’s still a good idea to inform your insurance company of your health status, upon being cleared by the medical facility.
They must give you a time frame and deadlines on when they’ll sort things out. Also, try to check up on the other party’s insurance firm to stay informed.
